Marquez extends MotoGP lead to 44 points with Sepang win
The title race has taken a new turn in MotoGP. Winner of the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang on Sunday, Marc Marquez took advantage of Jorge Martin's absence to stretch his championship lead to 44 points. With a few rounds left in the season, the Ducati rider moves a step closer to an eighth title in the premier class.
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Malaysia could well prove a turning point in the fight for the world championship. With Jorge Martin forced to withdraw because of a fractured wrist, Marc Marquez seized the opportunity to strengthen his grip on top spot in the standings. The Spaniard now has 399 points, against 355 for his closest rival.
A controlled win at Sepang
At Sepang, the Ducati rider dictated the pace over the 20 laps of the race. Starting from the front row alongside his younger brother Alex, who took pole position, Marc Marquez crossed the finish line in 40 minutes, 14 seconds and 236 thousandths. He finished more than four seconds clear of Pedro Acosta on the KTM. Alex Marquez, riding for Ducati-Gresini, completed the podium.
Behind that trio, Japan's Ai Ogura took fourth place after a battle with Marco Bezzecchi. The Italian ultimately finished fifth, ahead of his compatriot Enea Bastianini, who rides for KTM-Tech3.
Title within sight
With a 44-point lead over Jorge Martin, Marc Marquez can now think about clinching the title as early as the next round in Qatar, scheduled for next weekend. That prospect, however, depends on the event going ahead, given the security situation in the Middle East. The calendar then has two final rounds, in Portugal and in Valencia, Spain, at the end of November.
The championship points system still leaves 37 points up for grabs every weekend, between Saturday's sprint race and Sunday's Grand Prix. Despite his lead, the Spaniard is refusing to ease off. “We had a perfect race, but we have to stay extremely focused,” he said on arriving in parc fermé. He also stressed that there were still “a lot of moments” to come before the end of the season.
For the French riders, the trip to Malaysia was less fruitful. Johann Zarco retired, while Fabio Quartararo finished eleventh, nearly 26 seconds behind the winner. The Frenchman still leaves with five points.